Zach Benton, College and Young Adult Pastor

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1 Zach Benton, College and Young Adult Pastor

4 Shoebox Packing Party September 17-6:00 pm- 8:00 pm (Childcare for under 6)

6 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES The Church of Jesus on Mission Empowered by the Spirit

7 In sum, Acts 1:12-26 covers the obedience of the church as its members wait in Jerusalem for the Spirit. There Peter moves to replace Judas and bring the number of apostles to twelve. The community is unified and praying and seeing what to do through Scripture. Here is a picture of active community life, one of several such snapshots in 1:12-6:7. Peter is leading the congregation, and the choice is left to prayer and the Lord. Everything about the community s actions suggest that this is a community walking with the Lord. Darrell Bock

8 The community understands Judas death to be a judgment from God and part of the divine plan. Peter leads by pointing the community to Scripture, and the community shares in the deliberations, appealing to God to select the one who has a heart for the ministry. With the twelve restored, the stage is set for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Darrell Bock

9 Some things change. Some things stay the same. Knowing which is which makes all the difference.

10 CRAZY CONCLUSION OR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION? The Bible says everything is a part of God's plan. Acts 1:15 17

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the

11 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) and said, Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was one of our number and shared in our ministry. Acts 1:15-17

12 Peter s allusion to the Old Testament shows his high view of Scriptures. The Psalms were inspired by the Holy Spirit speaking through the mouth of David. Stanley D. Toussaint

13 BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION Single Meaning Interpretation (The Original Meaning in Their Context) Many Applications Application (The Derived Significance in My Context)

14 RISKY RATIONALE OR ACCURATE ASSESSMENT? The Bible says lost leaders must be replaced. Acts 1:18 20

(With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out.

15 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) For, said Peter, it is written in the Book of Psalms: May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it, and, May another take his place of leadership. Acts 1:18-20

16 PSALM 69 & 109 Peter goes on to quote from two Psalms (69 and 109), the first explaining what had happened (Judas defection and death) and the second what they should do about it (replace him). John Stott

PSALM 69 Because of his zeal for the house of the

of his enemies, as well as the indifference of his

devastation of his enemies, confident that the LORD

17 PSALM 69 Because of his zeal for the house of the LORD, the psalmist laments the reproach and antagonism of his enemies, as well as the indifference of his family and friends, and prays for the utter devastation of his enemies, confident that the LORD will answer his prayer and restore the fortunes of the nation. Allen Ross

18 PSALM 69 Psalm 69 is applied to Jesus five times in the New Testament. In it an innocent sufferer describes how his enemies hate and insult him without cause (Ps. 69:4), and how he is consumed with zeal for God s house (Ps. 69:9). Towards the end (Ps. 69:24) the psalmist utters a prayer that God s judgment will fall on these wicked and impenitent people. Peter individualizes this text and applies it to Judas on whom indeed God s judgement had fallen. John Stott

19 Peter said that David prophesied of Judas. But when did David discuss Judas Iscariot? Certainly he did not refer to him directly or name him. In the Psalms the Messiah is anticipated as the ideal King; therefore the Royal psalms, which discuss the King of Israel, often anticipate Christ. Likewise the enemies of the royal palmist became the enemies of Messiah. Therefore Judas was predicted in Psalm 69:25 and 109:8 as Acts 1:20 states. Stanley D. Toussaint

20 PSALM 109 After calling to the LORD for help against those who fought him with evil devices, and after laying curses on the enemy so that he would be desolate and dispossessed because he (the enemy) loved cursing, the psalmist prays that the LORD will help him by avenging his shame and dishonor. Allen Ross

21 PSALM 109 Psalm 109 is similar. It concerns wicked and deceitful men who without justification hate, slander, and attack the writer. Then one particular person is singled out, perhaps the ringleader, and God s judgment on him is requested (Ps. 109:8): May another take his place of leadership (Acts 1:20b). John Stott

22 RESURRECTION REQUIREMENT A worthy witness has experienced the resurrected Lord. Acts 1:21 22

23 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection. Acts 1:21-22

24 PROBLEMATIC PROCESS OR PRAYERFUL PONDERING? We find God's will by interpreting and applying Scripture, praying, and seeking the guidance of the Lord. Acts 1:23 26

25 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, Lord, you know everyone s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs. Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:23-26

27 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, Lord, you know everyone s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs. Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:23-26

First, Peter declared the qualifications necessary for an apostle. He must be a witness of the resurrection and a companion of the Lord during the whole public earthly ministry (vv. 21-22).

28 First, Peter declared the qualifications necessary for an apostle. He must be a witness of the resurrection and a companion of the Lord during the whole public earthly ministry (vv ). Then they prayed not for the Lord to choose but for the choice that the Lord had already made to be made known to them. The two names were put on lots, placed in an urn, and then the one that fell from the urn was taken to be the Lord s choice. This was in accord with Old Testament practice (cf. Prov. 16:33) and is a method no longer needed by by Christians with the coming of the abiding presence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:14; James 1:5). Charles Ryrie

29 This is the last time in the Bible lots were said to be used to determine God s will. A couple of observations are in order. First, no moral question was involved here. It was a matter of making of choice between two men who were apparently equally qualified. Second, this procedure may have come from Proverbs 16:33 which says the decision of lots is from the Lord. Stanley D.

30 This instance of casting lots to determine God's will is the last one the New Testament writers recorded. This was not a vote. "Casting lots" was necessary before the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but when He came, He provided the guidance, inwardly, that God had formerly provided externally. Christians do not need to cast lots to determine God's will, since now the indwelling Holy Spirit provides that guidance. He does so objectively through Scripture, and subjectively by impressing His will on yielded believers in response to prayer. Tom C onstable

31 SELECTING LEADERS Biblical and Theological Reflection Community Involvement Leadership Prayer Focus on Spiritual Qualifications Ajith Fernando

32 DECISION MAKING The Word of God The Community of God Prayer The Holy Spirit

33 Read your Bible. Develop a heart for God. Seek wise counsel (from those who do the above). Look for God s providence Ask, Does it make sense? Allow for Divine intervention. Bruce Waltke

34 LIVING ON MISSION The church of Jesus Christ, guided by the Word of God, prayerfully replaces its leadership with qualified candidates as the Lord directs them.

35 DECISION MAKING The Word of God The Community of God Prayer The Holy Spirit

Home Bible Studies Acts

1 Home Bible Studies Acts Study #2 Acts 1:12-26 KEY: Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas What does it say? B. (RE-EMPHASIZE) What does it mean? C. (REFLECT) What does it mean to me? 12. Then the apostles